Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.10.2 (focal adhesion kinase)
 44,029 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The mechanisms that regulate basal T cell size and metabolic activity are uncertain. Since the phosphatidylinositol-3 phosphate kinase (PI3 K) and Akt (PKB) pathway has been shown in model organisms to regulate both cell size and metabolism, we generated transgenic mice expressing a constitutively active form of Akt (myristoylated Akt, mAkt) in T cells. Naive transgenic T cells were enlarged and had increased rates of glycolysis compared to control T cells. In addition, mAkt transgenic T cells resisted death-by-neglect upon in vitro culture. Upon activation, mAkt-transgenic T cells were less dependent than control cells on costimulation through CD28 and could both grow rapidly and secrete cytokines in the absence of CD28 ligation. In addition, transgenic expression of mAkt led to the accumulation of CD4 T cells and B cells with age. Many aged mAkt-transgenic mice also developed autoimmunity with immunoglobulin deposits on kidney glomeruli and displayed increased incidence of lymphoma. Together, these data show that Akt activation is sufficient to increase basal T cell size and metabolism. Enhancement of T cell metabolism by Akt and more rapid CD28-independent T cell growth may contribute to the accumulation of excess immune cells and the development of lymphoma and autoimmunity.
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PMID:Activated Akt promotes increased resting T cell size, CD28-independent T cell growth, and development of autoimmunity and lymphoma. 1288 97

T cell activation leads to the induction of the transcription factors of the NFAT and NF-kappa B families, important regulators of T cell activation and function. In this study we demonstrate that TCR/CD3-stimulated T cells from mice expressing a constitutively active form of protein kinase B (myr PKB alpha) lack significant nuclear accumulation/shuttling of NFATc1 and NFATp as well as NF-kappa Bp65 and RelB proteins. Notably, despite this deficit in nuclear NFAT and NF-kappa B proteins, myr PKB T cells show lower activation threshold for proliferation, enhanced cell cycle progression and increased production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines similar to signals provided by CD28 costimulation. The enhanced T cell response correlates with increased expression of cyclins D3 and B1 and cytokine-induced Src homology 2 protein, and inactivation of the forkhead transcription factor FKHR. In addition, coimmunoprecipitation studies indicate a direct regulation of NFATc1 by active PKB. Together, our results demonstrate that the positive regulatory role of myr PKB on TCR responsiveness, subsequent cell division, and effector function is linked to a negative regulatory mechanism on the nuclear accumulation/shuttling of NFAT and NF-kappa B proteins.
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PMID:Active protein kinase B regulates TCR responsiveness by modulating cytoplasmic-nuclear localization of NFAT and NF-kappa B proteins. 1506 58

The ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate is highly effective in the treatment of CML and is increasingly used in the stem cell transplantation (SCT) setting. Since ABL-dependent intracellular signaling molecules are involved in T-cell activation, imatinib may affect T-cell responses in vivo, thus affecting T-cell function in CML patients, disrupting immune reconstitution after allogeneic SCT and/or impeding the graft-versus-leukemia effect. Here we demonstrate that imatinib inhibits PHA-induced proliferation of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells at in vitro concentrations (1-5 micromol/l) representative of the pharmacological doses used therapeutically in vivo. The effect is not dependent on antigen-presenting cells because CD3/CD28-induced T-cell stimulation was similarly inhibited by imatinib. Dose-dependent inhibition of the proliferative response of purified CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes to anti-CD3/CD28 was similarly observed and associated with reduction in IFN-gamma production. The inhibitory effect could not be ascribed to an increased rate of apoptosis but the expression of activation markers on CD3+ T cells was significantly reduced in the presence of imatinib (1-5 micromol/L). Inhibition of T-cell proliferation was reversible after removal of the drug from the cultures. Thus, imatinib inhibits T-cell proliferation in vitro, an effect that is APC-independent, reversible, and does not involve apoptosis induction.
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PMID:Imatinib inhibits the activation and proliferation of normal T lymphocytes in vitro. 1567 13

Although both naive and effector T lymphocytes interact with antigen-expressing cells, the functional outcome of these interactions is distinct. Naive CD8(+) T cells are activated to proliferate and differentiate into effector cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL), whereas CTL interact with specific targets, such as tumor cells, to induce apoptotic death. We recently observed that several molecules linked to actin cytoskeleton dynamics were up-regulated in effector vs. naive CD8(+) T cells, leading us to investigate whether T cell differentiation is accompanied by changes in actin-dependent processes. We observed that both naive and effector CD8(+) T cells underwent T cell receptor capping and formed stable conjugates with antigen-specific antigen-presenting cells. However, the characteristics of the immunological synapse were distinct. Whereas accumulation of signaling molecules at the T cell/antigen-presenting cell contact site was detectable in both naive and effector CD8(+) T cells, only effector cells developed a central supramolecular activation cluster as defined by punctate focusing of PKC theta, phospho-PKC theta, and phospho-ZAP70. Extended kinetics, CD28 costimulation, and high-affinity antigenic peptide did not promote PKC theta focusing in naive cells. Nonetheless, naive CD8(+) T cells polarized the microtubule organizing center, produced IL-2, proliferated, and differentiated into effector cells. Our results suggest that the formation of a central supramolecular activation cluster is not required for activation of naive CD8(+) T cells and support the notion that one role of an organized immune synapse is directed delivery of effector function.
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PMID:Formation of a central supramolecular activation cluster is not required for activation of naive CD8+ T cells. 1519 43

PKCtheta plays an essential role in activation of mature T cells. Here, we report that the TCR/CD28-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of PLCgamma1 was significantly impaired in PKCtheta (-/-) primary, restimulated T cells. Consistent with this finding, receptor-induced Ca(2+) mobilization, NF-AT DNA-binding activity and the membrane translocation of PKCalpha, a PLCgamma1-dependent conventional PKC, were also markedly reduced in the same cells. Moreover, a dominant-negative PLCgamma1 mutant blocked the PKCtheta-induced activation of an AP-1 reporter gene in Jurkat and primary cells. Regulation of PLCgamma1 signaling by PKCtheta required the tyrosine kinase Tec since a dominant-negative Tec mutant blocked PKCtheta-induced AP-1 (but not NF-kappaB) activation. In addition, wild-type Tec, but not Itk or Rlk, potently activated AP-1. Furthermore, Tec was found to constitutively associate with PKCtheta, an interaction that like AP-1 activation required the pleckstrin-homology domain of Tec. These findings define a novel PKCtheta-initiated pathway that regulates Ca(2+) signaling and AP-1 activation via Tec and PLCgamma1. Moreover, they identify Tec as a key point downstream of PKCtheta, where TCR- and PKCtheta-induced signaling pathways, leading to AP-1 versus NF-kappaB activation, diverge in T cells.
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PMID:Positive feedback regulation of PLCgamma1/Ca(2+) signaling by PKCtheta in restimulated T cells via a Tec kinase-dependent pathway. 1521 48

CD28 provides important signals that lower the threshold of T cell activation, augment the production of IL-2, and promote T cell survival. The recent identification of a second family of costimulatory molecules within the TNFR family has reshaped the "two-signal" model of T cell activation. In this study the role of p75 as a T cell costimulatory molecule in controlling cell fate during TCR/CD28-mediated stimulation was examined. We found that p75-deficient T cells possess a profound defect in IL-2 production in response to TCR/CD28-mediated stimulation. Examination of key signaling intermediates revealed that TCR proximal events such as global tyrosine phosphorylation and ZAP70 phosphorylation, as well as downstream MAPK cascades are unperturbed in p75-deficient T cells. In contrast, p75 is nonredundantly coupled to sustained AKT activity and NF-kappaB activation in response to TCR/CD28-mediated stimulation. Moreover, p75-deficient T cells possess a defect in survival during the early phase of T cell activation that is correlated with a striking defect in Bcl-x(L) expression. These data indicate discrete effects of p75 on the intracellular signaling milieu during T cell activation, and reveal the synergistic requirement of TCR, CD28, and p75 toward optimal IL-2 induction and T cell survival. We propose that p75 acts as one of the earliest of the identified costimulatory members of the TNFR family, and is functionally linked to CD28 for initiating and determining T cell fate during activation.
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PMID:Critical role of TNF receptor type-2 (p75) as a costimulator for IL-2 induction and T cell survival: a functional link to CD28. 1538 81

Over the past 10-20 years a number of immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, sirolimus, or mycophenolate mofetil have been approved for clinical use and have been highly successful in preventing or delaying graft rejection. Nevertheless, there is an incessant need for better and safer drugs to improve short-term and long-term outcomes following transplantation. A number of low-molecular-weight molecules that interfere with immune cell functions are in development. These include molecules that inhibit the janus protein tyrosine kinase JAK3, compounds that alter lymphocyte trafficking (the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor antagonist FTY720), and new malononitrilamides (FK778). All seem to show promising therapeutic potential. Among the biologic agents, there are high expectations for antibodies or recombinant chimeric molecules targeting costimulatory surface molecules or pathways involved in the migration of immune cells. The list of such targets includes the ligand pairs CD28:B7, CD154:CD40, LFA-1:ICAM-1, ICOS:B7RP-1, and VLA-4:VCAM-1. However, the clinical development of drugs for transplantation has proved to be difficult, complex, and time consuming. Therefore, newly emerging drug candidates will also demand better methods for monitoring their efficacy as well as their side effects in vivo. Pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) are complementary approaches used to select drugs on the basis of their in vivo efficacy as well as safety. Whereas PK monitors the handling of the drug by the body, PD focuses on the biologic effect of the drug on its target. Therefore, PD studies of in vivo efficacy are useful for clinical decisions to determine the optimal dose and type of immunosuppressant. At the preclinical stage, PD is aimed at accelerating the selection of lead compounds via PD-controlled trials in animals. Moreover, PD can help to discover new mechanisms of action for a drug or a drug candidate. However, its full potential has not been used, mainly because of laborious and time-consuming methodology. This review focuses on established and novel PD/PK approaches to assess immunosuppressive compounds in the context of new evolving drugs or drug combinations.
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PMID:Pharmacodynamics in the development of new immunosuppressive drugs. 1557 Jan 81

Lipid rafts are critical to the assembly of the T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling machinery. It is not known whether lipid raft properties differ in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and whether there are age-related differences that may account in part for immune senescence. Data presented here showed that time-dependent interleukin-2 (IL-2) production was different between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The defect in IL-2 production by CD4+ T cells was not due to lower levels of expression of the TCR or CD28. There was a direct correlation between the activation of p56(Lck) and LAT and their association/recruitment with the lipid raft fractions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. p56Lck, LAT and Akt/PKB were weakly phosphorylated in lipid rafts of stimulated CD4+ T cells of elderly as compared to young donors. Lipid rafts undergo changes in their lipid composition (ganglioside M1, cholesterol) in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of elderly individuals. This study emphasizes the differential role of lipid rafts in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation in aging and suggests that the differential localization of CD28 may explain disparities in response to stimulation in human aging.
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PMID:Differential role of lipid rafts in the functions of CD4+ and CD8+ human T lymphocytes with aging. 1623 85

Many tumors, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, are associated with decreased cellular immunity and elevated levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), a known inhibitor of CD4+ T cell activation, suggested to be involved in immune deviation in cancer. To address the molecular mechanisms tumor-derived PGE(2) might have on primary human CD4+ T cells, we used a whole genome-based transcriptional approach and show that PGE(2) severely limited changes of gene expression induced by signaling through the T cell receptor and CD28. This data suggests an interference of PGE(2) at an early step of T cell receptor signaling: indeed, PGE(2) stimulation of T cells leads to inactivation of lck and reduced phosphorylation of ZAP70. Antiapoptotic genes escaped PGE(2)-induced inhibition resulting in partial protection from apoptosis in response to irradiation or Fas-mediated signaling. As a functional consequence, PGE(2)-treated CD4+ T cells are arrested in the cell cycle associated with up-regulation of the cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1). Most importantly, CD4+ T cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma show similar regulation of genes that were altered in vitro by PGE(2) in T cells from healthy individuals. These data strongly suggest that PGE(2) is an important factor leading to CD4+ T cell impairment observed in Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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PMID:Prostaglandin E2 impairs CD4+ T cell activation by inhibition of lck: implications in Hodgkin's lymphoma. 1642 48

Timely negative regulation of the immune system is critical to allow it to perform its duty while maintaining it under tight control to avoid overactivation. We previously reported that the neuronal receptor neuropilin-1 (NP-1) is expressed in human lymph nodes. However, the role of NP-1 interaction with its physiological ligand semaphorin-3A (Sema-3A) on immune cells remains elusive. Here we show that Sema-3A is expressed by activated DC and T cells, and that its secretion in DC/T cell cocultures is delayed. Sema-3A/NP-1 interaction down-modulated T cell activation since addition of Sema-3A in DC/T cell cocultures dramatically inhibited allogeneic T cell proliferation. More importantly, neutralization by blocking antibodies or by antagonist peptide of endogenous Sema-3A produced by DC/T cell cocultures resulted in a 130% increase in T cell proliferation. Sema-3A acted directly on T cells, since it could block anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated proliferation of T cells. Finally, immunomodulatory functions of Sema-3A relied on the blockage of actin cytoskeleton reorganization, affecting TCR polarization and interfering with early TCR signal transduction events such as ZAP-70 or focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. Therefore, we propose that Sema-3A secretion and the resulting NP-1/Sema-3A interaction are involved in a late negative feedback loop controlling DC-induced T cell proliferation.
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PMID:Immunosuppressive role of semaphorin-3A on T cell proliferation is mediated by inhibition of actin cytoskeleton reorganization. 1679 96


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